Binding and cutting mechanism for knitting machines



INES

A. E. PAGE July 18, 1933.

. W BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACH Filed April 2, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR ALBERT E. PAGE {5 I121 aataz-nay-s \WMWLDWM July 18, 1933. A. E. PAGE BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 2, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALBERT E. PAGE q,- kis aZ'ZarneyS A. E. PAGE 1,919,123

BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES July 18, 1933.

Filed April 2, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ALBERT E. PAGE 3y 71213 @220 rzze ya' W July 18, 1933. 5. PAGE 1,919,123

BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 2, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ALBERTv E. PAGE um, MM

July 18, 1933. A E, PAGE 1,919,123

BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fil ed April 2, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ALBERT E. PAGE July 18, 1933.

BINDING AND A. E. PAGE 1,919,123

CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 2, 19:51

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 '10 35 6/ if 76.; 11:" ma O Q a 1 EI s j, Z97 i I T 0 A I. H a J 1% H /a J l agl INVENTOR a ALBERT E. PAGE i I {y 2219 aZZur ne ys PatentedJu y 1 v I I UNITED 'S-TA ALBERT PAGE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOLR TO SCOTT & WILLIAMS, INOOR- PORATED; OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS BINDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Application flle l April 2,

This invention relates to circular knitting machines and more particularly to yarn cutting and binding means therefor and it is an an object of this invention to provide a yarn binding and cutting mechanism for circular knitting machines which will be operative to cut and hold splicing yarns without interfering with the wrapping yarns and without necessitating wrapping yarn floats of excessive length. It is also an object of this invent-ion to provide a yarn binding and cutting mechanism which will function as a detector of broken or displaced needles or other objects which, for any reason, project abnormally in the needle circle and it is also an object of this invention to provide means whereby the shifting of the yarn binding and cutting mechanism upon engagement by a needle or other object will give an indication to the operator. It is also an object of this invention to provide a yarn binding and cutting mechanism of the type described which is positioned between the latch guard ring and sinker ring when in operative position.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance with this invention, parts of a circular knitting machinebeing shown to show the application of the device thereto and its relations therewith when in operative position.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation showing the device of Fig. 1 with such parts of the knitting machine as are necessary to show the connection of the device with a machine stopping mechanism;

Figure 3 is a View showing the device of Fig. 1 and the means for operating it from the pattern drum of the knitting machine in elevation, other parts of the knitting machine being shown .in section in order to more clearly show the relation of the device thereto;

Figure 4 is a partial plan View similar to Fig. 1 but showing the device latched in an 1931. Serial No. 527,306.

inoperative position towhich it is shifted when engaged by a needle;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the device as shifted to an inoperative position by operation of the pattern "1.."

drum

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the and showing the segmental gears used in positioning the device in operative and inoperative positions;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation viewed as from the line 10-10 of Figure 4 and showing the device'engaged by a needle;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Fig.4 and showing a modification;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary View in elevation showing the manner in which the embroidery yarns are deflected from the binding and cutting mechanism; and I Figure 13 is a partial top plan View of the yarn deflector shown in Fig. 12. I

In the drawings the invention is shown in connection. with a circular knitting machine such as is shown in the copending application of Albert E. Page and Harry Swinglehurst, Jr., Serial No. 522,450, filed March 13, 1931, which resulted in Patent #1306204,

issued April 25, 1903. The machine shown has an upper bed plate B, a latch guard ring 550 and a sinker cap 300 of the usual construction. To the bed plate B is attached a socket 4 having secured therein a vertical bearing pin 6 upon which is pivotally mounted a block or bracket 8 having a segmental gear 10 attached thereto- Mounted in the block 8 is a pin 12 which pivotally supports a bell crank lever 14. Mounted in the socket 4 is a pin 16 upon which-is journaled a lever 18 having its outer end pivotally connected to an adjustable push rod 20 which extends through the usual lower guide 451 and is operated by cams 505 attached to the main pattern drum 120. Attached to the lever 18 is a segmental gear 26 which meshes with the segmental gear 10 on the block 8 and causes oscillation of the block 8 on the pin 6 in response to movements of the push rod 20 by cams 505. A spring attached to the push rod 20 and guide 451 holds the push rod in engagement with the cam 505 or drum 120. Pivotally mounted on the pin 6 above the block 8 is a bracket 28 having an upwardly projecting arm or plate 30 to which is attached the bindin and cutting mechanism 32 comprising a c amping blade 7 85 and a cutter blade 7 84 connected to a plunger 38. The plunger 38 projects beyond the casing of the mechanism 32 and is normally engaged by an adjustable contact or abutment mounted in one arm of the bell crank lever 14 which operates the plunger 38 to pro- 'ect the clamping blade 785 and the cutter lade 784 forwardly or outwardly against the action of spring 42. This binding and 25'cutting unit is well known in the art and requires no further description.

The other arm of the lever 14, when in its operative position, projects beneath the sinker ring 297 and is provided with a cam follower 44 which engages with cams 46 mounted in the lower face of the sinker ring 297 and rotating therewith. A spring 47 connected to the bell crank lever 14 and the bracket 28 and of less strength than the spring 42 normally holds the contact 40 on the bell crank lever 14 in engagement with the plunger 38. Spring 42, however, is of sufficient strength to hold the cam follower 46 in contact with the sinker ring 297 or cams 46 carried thereby in opposition to the spring 47. There is'also provided a spring 49 connected to the block 8 and bracket 28 which normally retains the block 8 and bracket 28 relatively stationary with the plunger 38 in engagement with the contact 40, their relative positions being determined by the engagement of the pin 63 on the block 8 with the adjustable abutment or stop 65 on the block 28. To the bracket 28 is attached means for stop ing the machine as shown in Patent No. 1, 27,171, Lochhead, Sept. 3, 1929 and comprising a downwardly projecting arm 48 which extends below the lower arm of the bell crank lever 14 and at its lower end has an opening to receive one end of a link or wire 50 provided with an adjustable abutment 51. The other end of the link 50 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 52 attached to the upper end of a shaft 54. The shaft 54 extends through the upper bed plate B and has its lower end rotatably mounted in a socket 56 carried on the lower bed plate B. To the lower end of the shaft 54 is attached a crank arm 60 to which is pivotally connected one end ofa rod 62, the

other end of which carries a clip 64 in which is pivoted a trigger 66. The trigger 66 has a shoulder normally contacting with a latch 68 which retains the machine stopping lever 7 O in inoperative position. A spring 69 normally retains the abutment 51 against the arm 48. A wire or arm 72 which engages 11 the link 50 is pivotally connected at its outer end to a crank arm 52 on a shaft 53 journaled on the upper bed plate B. To the upper end of the shaft 52 is attached a spring bell clapper 55 which normally has its outer or bell contacting end spaced a short distance from the bell 57. Mounted on the link 50 on opposite sides of the arm 48 are the adjustable abutments 51 and'51 which cause the link 50 and the connected mechanism to move with the arm 48.

When the push rod 20 is in contact with the face of the drum 120 the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is in its inoperative position away from the needle circle, as shown in Fig. 5. In the operation of the device, the rotation of the pattern drum 120 causes the cam 505 to raise the push rod 20 and operating through lever 18 and segmental gears 26 and 10 to rotate the block 8 on pin 6 bringing the bell crank lever 14 to a position in which its lower arm is beneath the lower sinker ring 297 in position to be engaged by the cams 46 carried thereby. As the block 8 is thus'rotated on the pin 6 the spring 49, which connects block 8 and bracket 28 causes bracket 28 to rotate simultaneously with block 8 bringing the binding and cutting mechanism 32 to its operative position in which it projects between the latch ring 550 and sinker cam ring 300 with its clamping blade 785 and its cutter blade 784 extending over the needle circle in position to receive the splicing yarn 80 from the last of the high splice needles.

As the bracket 28 and binding and cutting mechanism 32 are caused to rotate with the block 8 and bell crank lever 14 the normal relative positions of the block 8 and bracket 28 are maintained so that the plunger 38 remains in contact with the contact 40 for operation thereby.

As the rotation of the sinker ring 297 brings the cams 46 into engagement with the cam follower 44 on the arm of the bell crank lever 14, the lever 14 is operated causing the plunger 38 to project the cutter blade and clamping blade 785 forward in pos1t1on to receive the yarn. As the blades are 42 is increased while the tension of spring 47 moved to this position the tension of spring is lessened. As the cam 46 passes from the bell crank lever 14 the spring 42 retracts the blades 784' and 785 severing the yarn 80 and holding the end extending from the splicing yarn guide F as shown in- Figure 4. A second cam 46 operates the lever 14 and cutting and binding mechanism 32 as the yarn v80 is again picked so that the end of the yarn is released by the clamping'blade 785 as the yarn is knit. As the blades 7 84 and 7 85 are retracted by the spring 42, the plunger 38 through its engagement with the contact 40 shifts the bell crank lever 14 against the ac-,

.tion of spring 47 to bring the cam follower 44 into engagement with the cam ring 297.

placed to a position where it will engage with v the binding and cutting" mechanism 32, or

a in each course.

This operation is repeatedat. each revolution of the sinker ring 297, the binding and cutting mechanism 32 being operated by one cam 46 to sever and clampthe yarn and by a second cam 46 to release the splicing yarn If, while the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is in operative position over the needle circle, a needle as needle a should for any reason, as a broken butt, become disshould any other object become so positioned, the displaced needle or other object will, upon contacting with the guard 61 over the blades 784 and 7 85 turn the mechanism 32 upon the pin 6 against the action of spring 49 to a position, clear of'the needle circle,

in which the displaced needle or other object may pass by the mechanism 32 without damage eitherto the mechanism 32 or to any of the needles. As the mechanism 32 is turned on the pin 6 by the displaced needle, the

mechanism 32 shifts relatively to the block.

8 and bell crank lever 14 so that the plunger 38 is moved oflf the face of the contact 40 and the bell crank lever 14 is moved forward by the spring 47 to a position in which the side of the contact 40 is engaged by the plunger 38, as shown in Fig.4, and the mechanism 32 is prevented from returning to its operative position over the needle circle under the influence of spring 49 when releasedby the,

displaced needle. In this way the bell crank lever 14 which operates the binding and cutting mechanism 32 serve's-as a latch to hold the binding and cutting mechanism 32 in an inoperative position clear of the needle circle when the mechanism 32 is shifted thereto by a displaced needle.

In the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2,'the binding and cutting mechanism 32 as it is shifted by a needle carries with it the arm 48 which, through link 50, rotates the shaft 54 and causes link 62 to operate the trigger 66 and withdraw the latch 68 from the stop lever 70 permitting the stop lever as shown in Patent No. 1,211,143, Grothey, January 2, 1917. In this way the binding and cutting mechanism 32 serves as a broken needle detector and gives an indication thereof by stopping the machine. Aftef the broken needle is corrected or the obstruction removed the mechanism 32 is released from the lever 14 manually,

In the modified structure shown in Figure 11 the contact 40 and plunger 38 are so positioned that the plunger-38 does not leave the face of the contact 40 when the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is rotated by a displaced needle or other obstruction leaving the mechanism 32 free to be returned to its operative. position by the spring 49 vwhen released by the displaced needle orother obstruction. In this construction the mechanism 32 is engaged and shifted on each revo- 'lution ofthe displaced needle or other'ob-,

struction and each time it is shifted it operates through arm 48 and. link .50 to turn the shaft 32 and move the clapper 55 away from the bell 57 and eachtime as the mech anism 32 is shifted by the displaced needle.

While the binding and cutting mechanism has been shown with the bell 57 and the machine stopping means for giving an indication of a broken needle, it can'be used as a broken needle detector without such indicating means as the position of the binding and cutting mechanism when latched out as in the construction of Fig.4 and its movements back and forth as in the construction of Fig.

11 are clear visible indications of a broken or displaced needle.

When the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is no'longer required and the pattern drum 120 is o erated to move the cam 505 from beneath 't e push rod 20 the push rod 20 is returned by spring 25' and operates the segmental gears 26 and 10 to rotate the block 8 and bell crank lever 14 to an inoperative position in which the bell crank lever 14 will not be engaged by the cams 46 on the sinker ring 297 During this movement pin 1 63 on block 8 which engages with the adjustable stop 65 on bracket 28 causes the bracket 28 and binding and cutting mechanism 32 to be rotated simultaneously with the block 8 and bell crank lever 14 to an inoperative position (as shown in Fig. 5) in which the clamping. blade 785 and cutter blade 7 84 are clear of the needle circle. In order to prevent this movement of the binding and cutting mechanism 32 of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 from causing the stoppage of the machine,

the wire 72 is, at this time, operated by a cam on the pattern chain 85 to lift the trigger 66 from its engagement with the latch 68 so that as the trigger 66 is moved forward by the 5 movements of the links 50 and 62 it will pass over the latch 68 and the latch 68 will not be withdrawn from its engagement with-the machine stopping lever 70 as described in the Lochhead Patent No. 1,727,171, previously mentioned. When the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is again returned to its operative position between the guard and sinker rings, spring 69 returns'the links 50 and 62, trigger 66 and the connecting levers: and

5 cranks to their operative position in which the shoulder on trigger 66 is again in engagement with the latch 68.

In the case of the construction shown in Fig. 11 the movements of the mechanism 32 i when operated from the main pattern drum 120 are made at a speed which does not cause the clapper to engage the bell so no indications are given.

When used in a knitting machine arranged for forming pattern stripes the position of the binding and cutting mechanism 32 is such that there is possibility of it becoming entangled in the floats or the wrapping yarns and accordingly on the guiding cam or horn 86 common to this type of machine there is provided a presser plate 88 which guides the floats and the wrapping yarns downwardly and away from the clamping blade 785 and vcutter blade 7 84 in order to prevent their 35 being engaged thereby.

the needle circle, a needle being referred to for thepurpose of illustration and as being the object which most often engages the cutting and binding mechanism 32.

I claim- 1. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn 59 binding and cutting mechanism mounted out side said rings and movable to an operative position between sa1d rings.

2. In a c1rcular knitting machine havlng a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn 5 binding and cutting mechanism extending between said rings and an operative connec tion between said sinker rlng and mechanism. 3. In a c1rcular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, yarn binding and cutting mechanism mounted outside said rings and means to shift said mechanism to an operative position between said rings and to an inoperative position outside I, said ,rings. 4. In a c1rcular knltting machine having 9.

being shiftedwhen engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle. 6. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism shiftable when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle.

7. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism and means operating to shift said mechanism to operative and inoperative positions, said mecha nism being shiftable when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle.

8. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism, means operating to shift said mechanism to operative and inoperative positions, said mechanism being shiftable when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle and indicating means rendered operative by said mechanism when shifted by a needle.

9. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism mounted outside said-rings and means to shift said mechanism to an operative position between said rings, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle.

v 10. In a circular knitting machine havin a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism mounted outside said rings, means operating with said machine to shift said mechanism to an operative position between said rings, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a nee dle to permit the passage of said needle, and machine stopping means rendered operative by said mechanism when shifted by a needle.

11. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism extending between said rings and-a lever operated by said sinker ring for operating said mechanism.

12. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism extending between said rings, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle, and a lever operated by said sinker ring for operating said mechanism, said lever engaging said mechanism to retain said mechanism in an'inoperative position when said mechanism is shifted by a needle.

13. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and. a sinker ring, a yarn operative by said mechanism when shifted by a needle.

14. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring and a sinker ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism pivotally mounted outside said rings, means operating with said machine to shift said mechanism to an operative position between said rings and to an inoperative position outside said rings, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle, a lever operated by said sinker ring for operating said mechanism, said lever engaging said mechanism to retain said mechanism in an inoperative position when said mechanism is shifted by a needle and machine stopping means rendered operative by. said mechanism when shifted by a needle.

15. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism yieldingly held in operative position, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle and means for latching said mechanism in an inoperative position when said mechanism is shifted by a needle. V

16. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism yieldingly held in operative position, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle.

17. In a circular knitting machine,a yarn binding and cutting mechanism yieldingly held in operative position, said mechanism being shifted to a position clear of the needle circle when engaged by a needle and means for latching said mechanism when shifted.

18. In a circular knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism yieldingly held in operative position, operating means forsaid mechanism,'said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of said needle and said operating means engaging said mechanism to latch it in an inoperative position;

19. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism pivotally mounted to swing beneath said ring to an operative position.

20. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring a yarn binding and cutting mechanism 'movable beneath said I V to an operative position. y I

21. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism movable in a horizontal plane beneath saidring to an operative posi- 22. In a circular knitting machine having a latch guard ring, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism movable in a horizontal plane beneath said ring to anoperative position over the needle circle, said mechanism being yieldingly held in said operative position v "ing and cutting mechanism adapted to detect a displaced needle.

26. In a knitting machine having a needle bed with needles thereinv and a latch guard overlying said needle bed, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism extending across the needle bed under said guard.

27. In a knitting machine having a needle bed with needles therein and a latch guard overlying said needle bed, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism movable beneath said guard to an operative position.

28. In a knitting machine having a needle bed with needles therein and a'latc-h guard overlying said needle bed, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism extending across the needle bed under said guard, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle.

29. In a knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism, yieldingly held in operative position, said 'mechanism being moved when engaged by a needle to permit the passage of the needle.

30. In a knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanism yieldingly held in operative position, said mechanism being operated-to give an indication when engaged by a needle.

31. In a knitting machine, a yarn binding and cutting mechanismhaving an operative position extending across the needle line, said mechanism being shifted when engaged by a needle. 0

32. In a knitting. machine, a yarn bind ng and cutting mechanism having an operative position extending across the needle line, said mechanism being operated to give an indication when engaged by a needle.

33. In a knitting machine, a stopping means and a yarn binding and cutting mecha-/ nism having an operative positionextending guard and having an inoperative position in which said mechanism lies wholly at said side of the needle line and means for shifting said mechanism relatively to said guard and needles with the guard in operative position from said inoperative position to an operative position in which said mechanism extends from said side across the needle line and in which position said mechanism remains while operating on a yarn.

ALBERT E. PAGE. 

